NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914

The THOMPSON family is of old Revolutionary stock, and a member of the family has fought in very war which the country has engaged in since it became a country. Robert H. THOMPSON is a great-grandnephew of two Revolutionary heroines, Tempe WICK and Jane McCREA, and a grandson of Hannah THOMPSON, who kept open house for General Washington’s soldiers while they were at Morristown, New Jersey.

The family has always resided on the same place, in Mendham, New Jersey, the land having been purchased from the Lord Proprietors in 1696 by the great–great-grandfather of Robert H. THOMPSON, who cleared the land, which at that time was heavily wooded, and his descendents have resided there to the present day. They assisted in founding Mendham, and were among the early Scotch Presbyterians who settled Newark.

David THOMPSON, son of the founder, served gallantly for the cause of independence in the continental army, in which he was captain of a company. The line is traced through his son, Stephen, who married and had a son, George Harris, born in Morris county, New Jersey, a farmer by occupation, and he inherited the THOMPSON homestead from his father. This estate has been in the family since the days prior to the formation of Morris county, when this section was still a part of Essex county. He was a Presbyterian in religion, as was also his wife, Tempe Wicke (LEDDELL) THOMPSON, a native of Morris county, New Jersey. They were the parents of six children, all of whom are deceased except for the two youngest: David, Mary, Alexander, Philip, Robert H., Susan H., wife of James Lawrence. Mr. and Mrs. THOMPSON died on the homestead and their remains were interred in the cemetery at Mendham.

After completing the curriculum of the common schools of Mendham, Robert H. THOMPSON attended the private schools conducted by Mr. RANKIN and Mr. DAY. He remained at home with his parents after his brothers left the farm and cared for them during their old age. He now owns this estate, which comprises 150 acres and which he keeps in a high state of improvement. He devotes his attention to farming and stock raising, and his well cultivated fields are a source of pride to him and are the equal of any to be found in Morris county. Mr. THOMPSON manifests a keen interest in Republican politics. He leads an exemplary life and commands the unqualified respect of all with whom he is brought in contact. In 1883 Mr. THOMPSON married Eliza McMurty GARABRANT, a native of Morris county, daughter of Cornelius and Elizabeth (PITNEY) GARABRANT. She died March 27, 1912. Mr. and Mrs. THOMPSON became the parents of one daughter, Nancy Isabelle, a graduate of Pratt’s Institute, and at present librarian at Bernardsville, New Jersey.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)

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